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| MARATHON MAN: Nick Willis of New Zealand |
INDIANAPOLIS – A
full-slate of world-class runners and other experts are expected to be on hand
to discuss their experiences and share tips with participants attending the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon (IMM) Expo.
The
two-day event will be held at the Indiana Convention Center-Hall D (100 S.
Capitol Ave.) on Thursday, Nov. 1 from 4 to 8 p.m.; and Friday, Nov. 2 from 10
a.m. to 9 p.m. More
than 40 exhibitors will be on site, displaying running gear and shoes, as well
as the latest developments in sports, fitness and nutrition.
On Friday, Nov. 2, speakers will discuss a variety of
topics, including:
Noon: Carlton Ray,
IMM president and race founder. He will give a preview of the race course and
discuss the history of the event, which has been presented by Franciscan St.
Francis Health since the inaugural race in 2008.
1 p.m.: Wesley Korir,
2012 Boston Marathon champion. He will discuss his marathon experiences and the
charity work he has initiated in his native Kenya.
2 p.m.: Mason Cathey,
assistant cross country coach, Butler University, and Olympic Trials finalist.
3 p.m. Nick Willis, a three-time Olympian
and 2008 silver medalist. This New Zealand runner is expected to discuss his
career and record-setting performances and share advice with IMM participants.
Willis also is expected to be the featured speaker at the IMM Pasta Dinner
at 6 p.m.
4 p.m.: Jim Crist,
MarathonPacing.com. He will offer tips on how runners can set and reach their
goals for the 2012 IMM.
Nearly 10,000 runners have registered for this year’s IMM
and organizers believe the number could approach 12,000 by race day, Saturday,
Nov. 3.
About the
2012 Indianapolis Monumental Marathon
The
race, which steps off at 8 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 3, features a full marathon
(26.2 miles) and a half marathon (13.1 miles). A 5K run – sponsored by local
engineering architectural firm HNTB – also is featured. A fourth featured race,
the Kids Fun Run, is now in its second year.
All
courses begin near Washington and West streets and finish on Robert D. Orr,
just steps away from the Indiana State Capitol building.
The
urban courses are sanctioned and certified by the standards of USA Track and
Field, the national body of road racing, with the marathon course serving as a
qualifier for the Boston Marathon.
Several
lndianapolis-area educational institutions will get a leg up on their programs;
the IMM donates its proceeds to those organizations. Since 2008, the IMM has
directly donated over $280,000 in proceeds to support local public education,
with the Indianapolis Public Schools Education Foundation as the largest
beneficiary.
More information about the Franciscan St.
Francis Sports Medicine program is at http://www.franciscanalliance.org/hospitals/indianapolis/services/sports-med/Pages/default.aspx.
